No, I am not talking about our house - although it does resemble an insane asylum at times.

I am talking about Camp Smile - a week long, overnight camp for kids with special needs. But only cool kids allowed. At least that's all I saw when I picked Rock up last week.

It was his first time at "big boy camp" - spending the night in a cabin, away from mom and dad, the whole nine. For the love, the kid is only 4 years old - what kind of mother sends her kids to overnight camp so young?

THIS kind of mom. The peace and quiet was to die for. Now if we just could have found somewhere to ship the baby to........it would have been party time.

I knew he would have a blast and so much more fun that being home with boring mom and #1 dad. From all accounts from his camp counselor, he did awesome. Caught fish, put a worm on the hook, made art projects (which are now strewn about his room or waiting to be "framed"), swam, canoed, ziplined, ropes course, sang, danced, learned camp songs - all the things that so called "normal" kids do at camp.

And here's my favorite part.

At the end of camp, they put on a talent show. Somehow, they taught the Rock how to beatbox on the microphone and he did it - in front of everyone! Now he won't stop! Hilarious. I always knew there was a little thug rapper in there somewhere.

When I saw him - he looked different - like grown up. I know it had only been a week. He had some new freckles on his nose. He was sporting a TAN (he is a bit of a pasty lil vampire most of the time). His eyes looked more blue. He walked right up to me and gave me a hug, looked me straight in the eye, and said "I luf u mommy". Now if that wasn't worth the $350, then I don't know what is. I can't believe that two years ago this kid couldn't communicate at all.

I think camp was just what he needed. A whole week to just get away from the flash cards and the drilling and all the freakin questions and expectations. I bet it's hard being him. While other kids are swimming the summer away, he's got to go to school and speech therapy and OT and then there is the ABA homework and constant reminding about everything.

But one day it will all pay off. It's paying off now. I love Camp Smile. How many days till next year?